H-3532.1          _______________________________________________

                                  HOUSE BILL 2352

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State of Washington              52nd Legislature             1992 Regular Session

By Representative G. Cole

Read first time 01/15/92.  Referred to Committee on Fisheries & Wildlife.Changing provisions governing the taking or possessing of game.

     AN ACT Relating to public ownership of wildlife; amending RCW 77.12.040; adding a new section to chapter 77.16 RCW; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.      The legislature declares that wildlife is a public resource.  It is the intent of the legislature to ensure that Washington's wildlife remains a public resource to be enjoyed equally by all.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 77.16 RCW to read as follows:

     Private landowners who charge a fee to hunters for access to their property shall not charge fees that vary based on whether a hunter was successful in bagging an animal.  These landowners shall allow free ingress and egress of wildlife, except the egress of game farm wildlife as defined in RCW 77.32.211.

     Sec. 3.  RCW 77.12.040 and 1987 c 506 s 15 are each amended to read as follows:

     The commission shall adopt, amend, or repeal, and enforce reasonable rules prohibiting or governing the time, place, and manner of taking or possessing game animals, game birds, or game fish.  The commission may specify the quantities, species, sex, and size of game animals, game birds, or game fish that may be taken or possessed.  The commission shall regulate the taking, sale, possession, and distribution of wildlife and deleterious exotic wildlife.  The director may adopt emergency rules under RCW 77.12.150.  Rules adopted under this section governing the time, place, and manner of taking or possessing game animals, game birds, or game fish shall not apply uniquely to private property.

     The commission may establish by rule game reserves and closed areas where hunting for wild animals or wild birds may be prohibited and closed waters where fishing for game fish may be prohibited.